Bell Island Battery

Bell Island Battery (1940-1945) - Bell Island Battery was a Canadian reinforced concrete 4.7 inch QF Mk. IV coastal gun battery at Wabana on Bell Island, in Conception Bay, Newfoundland. Deactivated in 1945. History Part of the Harbor Defense of St. John's. World War II (1939-1945) Two 4.7-inch quick-firing (QF) Mark IV guns, mounted on Central Pivot Mounts Mark I., were located at Beach Hill, above the ferry terminal on Bell Island, Newfoundland. Battery Bell Island Armament (edit list) Empl No Caliber Type Barrel Length Model Serial No Manufacturer Carriage Service Dates Notes 1 4.7" Rifle Mk. IV B 1173 Elswick Central Pivot Mount Mk I 1940-1945 See note 1 2 4.7" Rifle Mk. IV B 1174 Elswick Central Pivot Mount Mk I 1940-1945 See note 1 Source: Note 1: Military History Books - Newfoundland & Labrador These guns were twice fired at attacking German U-boats early in World War II but could not be deflected low enough to hit the targets below. On 5 Sep 1942 two iron-ore boats, the S.S. Lord Strathcona and the S.S. Saganaga, were sunk by the German U-boat, U-513 in Conception Bay. The battery could not see the U-Boat but fired anyway and the shell landed in a field across the straits. A second U-Boat, U-518, torpedoed the S.S. Rose Castle and the Free-French freighter PLM 27 on 2 Nov 1942. The shore battery fired but again could not hit the target. Current Status Two period guns on mounts still in place. The battery has been restored and is now a World War II memorial. Location: Wabana on Bell Island, Newfoundland, Canada Maps & Images Lat: 47.63039 Long: -52.9267 Multi Maps from ACME Maps from Bing Maps from Google Elevation: .....' See Also: Harbor Defense of St. John's Sources: Links: CDSG North American Forts - Bell Island Military History Books - Newfoundland & Labrador Visited: No